Rosewing.com

Author Archive

Gold Coast Burleigh Heads

The easternmost portion of Australia’s coastline is an area of abundant natural wonders and attractions, with many of the top-rated beaches on the continent, and worldwide, too. The Gold Coast surely stands out as one of the most frequented and spectacular places to visit on the eastern edge of Australia, and anywhere in the country at that. For many different, worthy reasons the whole Gold Coast area stands out as an alluring destination spot.

The slender stretch of shoreline and the hinterland that make up the larger Gold Coast area are nestled in the southeastern portion of the Australian state of Queensland, not a far trip heading south from the state capital, Brisbane. Mostly thanks to the incredible attractiveness of the Gold Coast, the city itself happens to be the largest non-capital city in the country.

The area blends the extremes of urban, modern life on the one hand and pristine ecological settings on the other hand like no other place on the planet. The most developed portion of Gold Coast City, sitting right on the waterfront on a sand bar, is brimming with high-rises and all of the luxuries and comforts of modern life; then, the areas farther inland as well as the beaches farther from downtown, including the rainforest area in the Gold Coast hinterland, provide the ideal sanctuary for nature lovers, picnickers, and just about anybody looking to get away from the bustle of life in the center.

One of the truly unique features of the Gold Coast would have to be the intricate web of artifical waterways that were brilliantly carved out of the natural marshland that originally covered the area. All told, these canals are more than nine times longer than the famed Venetian canals…quite a lot. As a result, there are a ton of properties that sit right on the water’s edge, even though they may not be oceanfront properties, only reinforcing the allure of staying here.

One of the big claims to fame that the Gold Coast has is its status as a mecca for surfers, and it is definitely among the most select surf destinations in the country and in the entire world. At the top of the list of the many spots along the Gold Coast’s more than 35 miles of shoreline are the beaches at Kirra, Burleigh Heads, Palm Beach and Surfers Paradise. The waves here are nothing short of ideal at many times of the year, with another impressive tube about to roll on through at any moment.

Given the excellent beach conditions and the temptation to take a dip experienced by everybody, there is a professional and extremely competent Shark Control Program carried out by the state government, and it is credited with sparing beachgoers from shark attacks since the late’50s…an eternity! Under the watchful gaze of these professionals, tourists and locals alike can take a dip without cause for concern.

Local favorite spots include such buildings as the Q1 tower, a looming edifice with the second-tallest observation deck in the southern hemisphere, giving a privileged perspective from over 750 feet in the air in all directions. Another landmark, located in the Gold Coast hinterland, is the Lamington National Park, listed by the UN to be a World Heritage Site due to its biodiversity and beauty. Finally, practically every slice of beach happens to be a landmark of its own.

In sum, this is a place with a little something for everybody, and a whole lot more, too! Apparently the 10 million annual tourists that visit the Gold Coast think that way as well, with many of them being Australians themselves…real evidence that this destination is one you can’t afford to miss out on.

Part of a proven surf travel network, Gold Coast Surfboards are the guys to talk to for surfboard hire and other surf travel services Get a totally unique version of this article from our article submission service

Hotels are meant to be your home away from home. Often, though, especially with the advent of boutique and luxury hotels, they are even more than that, they become experiences in and of themselves.

The trend in hotels is towards providing guests with an immersive experience. Hotels have become concepts; no longer is enough to be a stop over. Modern hotels are escapes; they act as little pockets of luxury, of freedom from the normal 9 to five grind.

Everywhere you look there are various themed hotels that have cropped up in all corners of the world. You can find a designer hotel with art themed rooms in practically every major city. There are hotels dedicated to fashion, to music, to being sustainable, to books and to celebrity personalities. And the public loves it.

Of course, that doesn’t mean that your standard luxury hotel has gone out of fashion. These are still very much in vogue. Sitting in the lap of luxury by the seaside sipping Mai Tais and other umbrella cocktails is a standard, especially for the jet setters and those on vacation. You can’t visit the pristine beaches of Phuket or the labyrinthine passage ways of Venice without finding a chic and exclusive hotel featuring big screen LCDs and 24 hour room service. These hotels will always be popular. You can always count on the big luxury chains like the Hilton or Four Seasons to offer you every creature comfort in the book.

But, for those looking for something different, for something a little more off the beaten track, something more adventuresome or creative, there are a host of options out there.

Here’s a look at just some of the latest and most unique hotels you can find in exotic and not so exotic locals around the world.

Venture down to South America-to the south of Chile-and you’ll find the Magic Mountain Hotel. Located smack dab in the middle of the Huilo Huilo Reserve in Panguipulli, this hotel has nothing to do with the Disney ride of the same name. Rather, it is a hotel that’s built in the shape of a mountain. From the peak comes a torrent of water that flows down the sides, creating a spectacular water fall. The hotel is located in the middle of one of Chile’s most incredible forest landscapes. In the area you can go hiking, indulge in a round of golf, explore the white water rapids, or go skiing. You can end your day relaxing in the outdoor hot tubs. A night’s stay costs around $170 USD.

You’ve probably heard about the famous Ice Hotel-in fact, now there are several in the world. The first, however, was built in a small town in northern Sweden called Jukkasakjarvi. The hotel started out as an art project, a small igloo constructed on the frozen Torne River. That igloo soon gave birth to the 5500 square meter Ice Hotel, which is made entirely out of ice and snow-it’s an experience you won’t forget.

The Harlingen Lighthouse, in Holland served as a beacon for sailors and their ships for over three centuries. Today, the lighthouse had been converted into a romantic getaway for couples. There’s only a few rooms, so book ahead.

In Rome, visitors can stay at the Franklin Feel the Sound Hotel, located just a few steps away from the Vatican in the Prati quarter. This hotel is dedicated to good tunes-each room comes equipped with a state of the art sound system and you can borrow CDs and vinyl records in the lobby.

Damian Papworth loves helping travelers on their Gold Coast Holiday. As such, for added convenience he has built a search engine to find Gold Coast hotels Australia.

categories: Surf Holiday,Australia,Gold Coast,Family Holiday,Extreme,Beach Vacation,Outdoors,Summer Vacation,Summer Holiday,travel tips,travel,recreation,destinations,recreation and sports